Links

Saturday, December 31, 2005

========================= NYSIA ADV =========================Come to NYSIA's Monthly Meeting this coming Monday, June 20thThis month's topic: "The Impact of Service Oriented Architecture on Business Practices and Methods." The software industry is experiencing a strategic shift. Dr. Daniel Sabbah of IBM will discuss how the adoption of a component-based software development model ultimately represents a significant set of changes to management systems, processes, infrastructure and technology. Date: 6/20 Time: 6:00PM - 8:15PM Place: JPMorgan Chase, 270 Park Ave. 3rd Fl.RSVP: http://www.nysia.org/events/calendar.cfm?year=2005&month=6#423========================= NYSIA ADV ========================= ========================= JOBS! ========================= PHP Developer needed in Midtown Manhattan * Investment firm is looking for a top-notch web developer who is skilled in an enterprise environment and understands not only how to build good technology, but also how to build scalable technology. Client wants to expand their current team with self-motivated creative people who thrive in an environment where they are constantly challenged. * REQUIREMENTS: 3+ years PHP experience, actual real-world use of PHP 5.x, Smarty templates; Thorough understanding of object oriented programming, Thorough understanding of database concepts and principles (specifically with exposure to MySQL 4.x); Advanced knowledge of a UNIX type operating system (preferably Linux); Apache; Source control with SVN or CVS; Excellent organization and time-management abilities; Strong work ethic; Conscientious nature; Prior work in Financial Services industry a plus

Friday, December 23, 2005

Merry
Christmas and Bah Humbug.I’ve been busy
these past few months and have been getting out, going to assorted events,
keeping in touch with various people, lunching, dinnering and theatering.I vacillate between resurrecting this
newsletter in a big way and adhering to my promise of a series of reunion
events.But it gets disheartening when
you meet up with people who don’t follow through or drop the ball.And, I’m tired of holding the ball all the
time.So, I go about my life,
volunteering in different venues that mean a lot to me and I’m living my life
here in the Great Big Apple, while the world goes on and while dramas play out
in the stage of life.So, without much
more further ado, here are my journal entries, as it were, for some things over
the past two months.Enjoy, or not.Doesn’t matter to me.Okay, it does matter, which is why I still do
this and why I still love you all! :)

NOVEMBER

November
10, 2005

While
the rest of my office was enjoying a private viewing of the new observation
deck, Top of the Rock, at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, I was serving Veuve
Cliquot to private equity investors at the New York Chapter of the Association
for Corporate Growth’s Private Equity Marketplace & Wine Tasting at the New
York Athletic Club.Bert Alimansky was
there, as was Neal Lorberbaum [nlorberbaum@optonline.net], who now got a good
gig going consulting.It’s always
encouraging to see how healthy the private equity marketplace is.There’s lots of money out there people, so go
get it!

November
15, 2005

Another
prolific and successful friend, Ms. Stacy Horn
[http://www.echonyc.com/~horn/restless/]was reading an excerpt of her book “The Restless Sleep” at the KGB bar
on East 4th Street. Not only was it
riveting, but it’s so very sad to think of all the people, all those souls, who
have been extinguished before their time, and who’s files, if not solved sooner
than later just get boxed up and moved into the basements of precincts until the
precincts move and then just tossed.That’s only a fate I’d wish on my most favorite enemies...Stacy read to us about a young woman who’d
been murdered in her 20s...never to be solved.Considering the popularity of these types of dramas on television and
movies, I’d recommend checking out this fascinating read too!

November
19, 2005

Upon
Jim Sosnicky’s [http://www.iraqorsomething.com/ -- most recent writings] recommendation I went to
see Synapse Production’s [http://www.synapseproductions.org] of George Orwell’s
Animal Farm.[http://www.synapseproductions.org/whatson/afinfo.html]I’d met the Artistic Director and Founder,
Ginerva Bull, at one of his famous cocktail gatherings “back in the day.”It’s nice to know that there’s some real
thinking theater out there.Animal Farm
is on national tour right now, but you can find other great meaty pieces at the
Connelly Theater on East 4th Street.Check out all their productions!

November
21, 2005

Back
in the East Village I went to the famous La Mama Theater
[http://www.lamama.org/] to hear my friend Donysha Smith in the Poetry Electric
Series.Getting to hear a spectrum of
woman speak about their life experiences, which are as different as they were,
was another treat that’s so easy to sample in NYC.Hosted by William Electric Black, we heard
Donysha, Michelle Valladares, Ilka Scobie, rap, swoon or sway with the rhythm
of their words, mesmerizing us with the melodies and words marinated in
meaning.Her next performance is Monday,
January 16, 2006 in the amplified poetry experience of “Rock Poets,” which is
spokenword meets rock n roll.

November
22, 2005

The
very next day I had a delightful lunch with Ms. Fran Pomerantz of Korn/Ferry
International [http://www.kornferry.com/].We dined on miso soup and sushi at SushiZen on West 44th Street, which
fit the bill (when it finally arrived!--I think they went out fishing just
after we placed the order).Nevermind.It was more time to
chat with Fran and get to know one another. Our connector was the prolific Mark
Jeffrey [http://markjeffrey.typepad.com/]And, as with all good connections, we found lots to talk about between
the “old days” and life in NYC (she just moved here) and the placement services
business today.

A
Special Report from our famous intrepid reporter ~ Tamar Alexia Fleishman

Interview
with Country Music Showman and Entrepreneur Two Foot Fred

Freddie Gill, or as he known in country music circles, "Two Foot
Fred", has created a whirlwind of a career for himself, despite having a
form of dwarfism as diastrophic displaysia. I spoke to him by telephone and he
assures me that "other than size," he's in perfect health. Freddie is
a graduate of Ball State's prestigious entrepreneurship program, one of the top
programs of its kind in the U.S.

Freddie was the consummate businessman, with restaurants, pubs, real estate and
even a spice company called Phat Freddie's, when a series of e-mails changed
his life. Anyone who knows my life story can understand why I just had to talk
to another person who got into "the biz" with a bunch of e-mails.
Several years ago, Freddie met country star John Rich at Nashville's annual fan
gathering, Fanfair. They exchanged e-mail addresses and a couple years later,
Rich let Freddie know that he was putting together a band, Big and Rich, and
would love to feature him in their videos. He has since appeared on stage and
in videos with Big and Rich, Cletus T. Judd, Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson.
He's even directed two videos himself! His web site, where you can see videos,
catch concert dates and buy stuff is www.twofootfred.com.

You have a spice company; how'd you get into that?

"I owned a full service steak house, four or five years ago. I played with
spices. I made some blends and went to a spice company. I asked if we could
manufacture this on a large scale, and the answer was "yes". I have
four blends and two pure spices."

Why do two pure spices?

"They pure garlic and pure onion, so people could add them to the blends
to suit their taste, turn things up a little."

You took entrepreneurship classes at Ball State; what was your first career
goal?

"I always wanted to own a restaurant. I did that for a while, but it was
too time consuming, a restaurant consumes all of you. I have to be a little
more free."

You started working with Big and Rich through a series of e-mails. But I would
imagine that John Rich doesn't just give his e-mail to anyone.

"John Rich has this uncanny ability to see the potential in people. He did
that with Gretchen Wilson and he did it with me."

How do you keep a handle on all your businesses?

"Through the Internet and e-mails. The Internet's awesome. At first it was
hard, though. I answer all the e-mails I get through my web site. It's
something I do consistently, I'm proud to do it. I wouldn't want anyone else to
answer my mail, I wouldn't want anyone putting words in my mouth."

www.twofootfred.com

The
Renewable Hydrogen Foundation – an update from John Bates
[http://johnbates.com/], who is now the Director of Membership of the
foundation [http://www.renewablehydrogen.org]

Are
you tired of paying so much at the pump? Are you worried that the rise in oil
prices will fuel inflation, or worse? Do you wish we had energy security,
instead of dependence on often unstable and unfriendly foreign suppliers? Would
you like to do something about all this? Then meet The Renewable Hydrogen
Foundation. We believe that oil prices will

continue
to rise dramatically, though erratically, and that urgent action is needed now.
Action that paves the way for alternatives to oil. Joining The Renewable
Hydrogen Foundation is a vote for the incredible resourcefulness of people,
both in America and the World. Unlike the

pain
at the pump, this is a vote for a cleaner, healthier, and renewable future. We
are proud to invite you to join the The Renewable Hydrogen Foundationteam. We're launching our very first
membership drive ever and we want you to take this opportunity to join us.At The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation we
develop and deploy alternative fuels, and ways to produce them that are cleaner,
safer, and more sustainable. We have world renowned scientists, and active,
forward thinking citizens working together to create and implement an
alternative fuels and energy agenda apart from industry or governmental
pressures. You can find more at our website,
http://www.renewablehydrogen.org/security. Please click the Join Us link and
become a member today. You are the vanguard of a new age and we salute you!

NIGHT TRAIN, Kentucky's
hard core Southern rock band, can be heard on the playlist of www.43thehawk.com
and very soon on www.allsouthernrock.com for free! But, don't miss the live
shows with Dave "Chico" Prince, Bobby Lee Adkins and George Ray --
for show dates, movies, confessing your sins and cool black t-shirts designed
by award-winning artist Tim Hall, check out www.8thgradebride.com.

HOLIDAY PARTIES!

Woowee.Things are picking up in New York City.There were on average four holiday parties
that I was invited to each week in the month of December.But I’ve been a very bad girl and didn’t go
to any of them!I know, I know.Coal in my stocking this year.(Well, if I give it enough pressure it could
turn into a diamond, right?)

Webgrrls NYC – They have
a lot to celebrate this year!They’ve
reinvigorated the chapter, renewed the activities, and created some great
momentum for 2006. Also, Webgrrls NYC is the first and largest chapter of
Webgrrls, started in 1995, by Aliza Sherman (who’s moved onto AMAZING NEW
THINGS – [http://www.mediaegg.com/]), and this year is our

The annual Asian American
Journalists Association-New York Chapter Holiday

Party! Held at the swanky
Bentley Hotel. Come catch up with old and new AAJA friends and get sweeping
views of New York landmarks, the 59th Street bridge and the East River at the
Bentley Hotel's indoor rooftop bar! Meet the new 2006 AAJA-NY leaders.Get a chance to win door prizes and bid on
fabulous holiday gifts at a LIVE auction including tickets to see "The
Daily Show with Jon Stewart," spa packages and beauty baskets.(All proceeds will go to the AAJA-NY High
School Scholarship Fund) Date: Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, Time: 9 p.m. to midnight

Woowee. Things are picking up in New York City. There were on average four holiday parties that I was invited to each week in the month of December. But I’ve been a very bad girl and didn’t go to any of them! I know, I know. Coal in my stocking this year. (Well, if I give it enough pressure it could turn into a diamond, right?)

Webgrrls NYC – They have a lot to celebrate this year! They’ve reinvigorated the chapter, renewed the activities, and created some great momentum for 2006. Also, Webgrrls NYC is the first and largest chapter of Webgrrls, started in 1995, by Aliza Sherman (who’s moved onto AMAZING NEW THINGS – [http://www.mediaegg.com/]), and this year is our10th anniversary! Come and celebrate with us at Gaetana, a charming Italian restaurant in the heart of the West Village. Wednesday, December 7th, 2005, 6:30 - 8:30 PM. http://EventMe.com/Link/zbDbR8gzBaA/0/xHaOb5zEpSU.aspx

SAJA Holiday Party -- Wed, Dec. 7 at Maharaja, 6:30-10:30 pm

The annual Asian American Journalists Association-New York Chapter HolidayParty! Held at the swanky Bentley Hotel. Come catch up with old and new AAJA friends and get sweeping views of New York landmarks, the 59th Street bridge and the East River at the Bentley Hotel's indoor rooftop bar! Meet the new 2006 AAJA-NY leaders. Get a chance to win door prizes and bid on fabulous holiday gifts at a LIVE auction including tickets to see "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," spa packages and beauty baskets. (All proceeds will go to the AAJA-NY High School Scholarship Fund) Date: Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, Time: 9 p.m. to midnight

NIGHT TRAIN, Kentucky's hard core Southern rock band, can be heard on the playlist of www.43thehawk.com and very soon on www.allsouthernrock.com for free! But, don't miss the live shows with Dave "Chico" Prince, Bobby Lee Adkins and George Ray -- for show dates, movies, confessing your sins and cool black t-shirts designed by award-winning artist Tim Hall, check out www.8thgradebride.com.

The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation – an update from John Bates [http://johnbates.com/], who is now the Director of Membership of the foundation [http://www.renewablehydrogen.org]

Are you tired of paying so much at the pump? Are you worried that the rise in oil prices will fuel inflation, or worse? Do you wish we had energy security, instead of dependence on often unstable and unfriendly foreign suppliers? Would you like to do something about all this? Then meet The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation. We believe that oil prices will continue to rise dramatically, though erratically, and that urgent action is needed now. Action that paves the way for alternatives to oil. Joining The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation is a vote for the incredible resourcefulness of people, both in America and the World. Unlike the pain at the pump, this is a vote for a cleaner, healthier, and renewable future. We are proud to invite you to join the The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation team. We're launching our very first membership drive ever and we want you to take this opportunity to join us. At The Renewable Hydrogen Foundation we develop and deploy alternative fuels, and ways to produce them that are cleaner, safer, and more sustainable. We have world renowned scientists, and active, forward thinking citizens working together to create and implement an alternative fuels and energy agenda apart from industry or governmental pressures. You can find more at our website, http://www.renewablehydrogen.org/security. Please click the Join Us link and become a member today. You are the vanguard of a new age and we salute you!

A Special Report from our famous intrepid reporter ~ Tamar Alexia FleishmanInterview with Country Music Showman and Entrepreneur Two Foot Fred

Freddie Gill, or as he known in country music circles, "Two Foot Fred", has created a whirlwind of a career for himself, despite having a form of dwarfism as diastrophic displaysia. I spoke to him by telephone and he assures me that "other than size," he's in perfect health. Freddie is a graduate of Ball State's prestigious entrepreneurship program, one of the top programs of its kind in the U.S.

Freddie was the consummate businessman, with restaurants, pubs, real estate and even a spice company called Phat Freddie's, when a series of e-mails changed his life. Anyone who knows my life story can understand why I just had to talk to another person who got into "the biz" with a bunch of e-mails. Several years ago, Freddie met country star John Rich at Nashville's annual fan gathering, Fanfair. They exchanged e-mail addresses and a couple years later, Rich let Freddie know that he was putting together a band, Big and Rich, and would love to feature him in their videos. He has since appeared on stage and in videos with Big and Rich, Cletus T. Judd, Cowboy Troy and Gretchen Wilson. He's even directed two videos himself! His web site, where you can see videos, catch concert dates and buy stuff is www.twofootfred.com.

You have a spice company; how'd you get into that?

"I owned a full service steak house, four or five years ago. I played with spices. I made some blends and went to a spice company. I asked if we could manufacture this on a large scale, and the answer was "yes". I have four blends and two pure spices."

Why do two pure spices?

"They pure garlic and pure onion, so people could add them to the blends to suit their taste, turn things up a little."

You took entrepreneurship classes at Ball State; what was your first career goal?

"I always wanted to own a restaurant. I did that for a while, but it was too time consuming, a restaurant consumes all of you. I have to be a little more free."

You started working with Big and Rich through a series of e-mails. But I would imagine that John Rich doesn't just give his e-mail to anyone.

"John Rich has this uncanny ability to see the potential in people. He did that with Gretchen Wilson and he did it with me."

How do you keep a handle on all your businesses?

"Through the Internet and e-mails. The Internet's awesome. At first it was hard, though. I answer all the e-mails I get through my web site. It's something I do consistently, I'm proud to do it. I wouldn't want anyone else to answer my mail, I wouldn't want anyone putting words in my mouth."

November 22, 2005The very next day I had a delightful lunch with Ms. Fran Pomerantz of Korn/Ferry International [http://www.kornferry.com/]. We dined on miso soup and sushi at SushiZen on West 44th Street, which fit the bill (when it finally arrived!--I think they went out fishing just after we placed the order). Nevermind. It was more time to chat with Fran and get to know one another. Our connector was the prolific Mark Jeffrey [http://markjeffrey.typepad.com/] And, as with all good connections, we found lots to talk about between the “old days” and life in NYC (she just moved here) and the placement services business today.

November 21, 2005Back in the East Village I went to the famous La Mama Theater [http://www.lamama.org/] to hear my friend Donysha Smith in the Poetry Electric Series. Getting to hear a spectrum of woman speak about their life experiences, which are as different as they were, was another treat that’s so easy to sample in NYC. Hosted by William Electric Black, we heard Donysha, Michelle Valladares, Ilka Scobie, rap, swoon or sway with the rhythm of their words, mesmerizing us with the melodies and words marinated in meaning. Her next performance is Monday, January 16, 2006 in the amplified poetry experience of “Rock Poets,” which is spokenword meets rock n roll.

November 19, 2005Upon Jim Sosnicky’s [http://www.iraqorsomething.com/ -- most recent writings] recommendation I went to see Synapse Production’s [http://www.synapseproductions.org] of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. [http://www.synapseproductions.org/whatson/afinfo.html] I’d met the Artistic Director and Founder, Ginerva Bull, at one of his famous cocktail gatherings “back in the day.” It’s nice to know that there’s some real thinking theater out there. Animal Farm is on national tour right now, but you can find other great meaty pieces at the Connelly Theater on East 4th Street. Check out all their productions!

November 15, 2005Another prolific and successful friend, Ms. Stacy Horn [http://www.echonyc.com/~horn/restless/] was reading an excerpt of her book “The Restless Sleep” at the KGB bar on East 4th Street. Not only was it riveting, but it’s so very sad to think of all the people, all those souls, who have been extinguished before their time, and who’s files, if not solved sooner than later just get boxed up and moved into the basements of precincts until the precincts move and then just tossed. That’s only a fate I’d wish on my most favorite enemies... Stacy read to us about a young woman who’d been murdered in her 20s...never to be solved. Considering the popularity of these types of dramas on television and movies, I’d recommend checking out this fascinating read too!

November 10, 2005While the rest of my office was enjoying a private viewing of the new observation deck, Top of the Rock, at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, I was serving Veuve Cliquot to private equity investors at the New York Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth’s Private Equity Marketplace & Wine Tasting at the New York Athletic Club. Bert Alimansky was there, as was Neal Lorberbaum [nlorberbaum@optonline.net], who now got a good gig going consulting. It’s always encouraging to see how healthy the private equity marketplace is. There’s lots of money out there people, so go get it!

Merry Christmas and Bah Humbug. I’ve been busy these past few months and have been getting out, going to assorted events, keeping in touch with various people, lunching, dinnering and theatering. I vacillate between resurrecting this newsletter in a big way and adhering to my promise of a series of reunion events. But it gets disheartening when you meet up with people who don’t follow through or drop the ball. And, I’m tired of holding the ball all the time. So, I go about my life, volunteering in different venues that mean a lot to me and I’m living my life here in the Great Big Apple, while the world goes on and while dramas play out in the stage of life. So, without much more further ado, here are my journal entries, as it were, for some things over the past two months. Enjoy, or not. Doesn’t matter to me. Okay, it does matter, which is why I still do this and why I still love you all! :)

Thursday, December 22, 2005

I interviewed David Novak,
of Davrie Communications, Inc. (www.davrie.com), a company designed to help
those sentenced to federal incarceration deal with all aspects of "doing
time". Novak is a real-life ex-con. Before Martha Stewart comes out with
her inevitable book about prison life, here’s the real scoop on what it’s like
to be a "white-collar" ex-con.Q: You spent a year in
federal prison as a result of a mail-fraud conviction. What kind of background
did you have growing up?A: My father was a Marine
officer. We lived all over the world. I was one of the last group of people who
gained prominence without a college degree. In 1995, I had an aviation company
and staged an accident for an insurance claim. I had warped values, greed. I
told the authorities -- I had an internal struggle. Because of the money
involved, I exceeded the point system with the federal sentencing guidelines to
get probation.Q: People perceive
federal prison to be a "county club" atmosphere, at least compared to
state prison. What do you say to that? A: Spend some time in
prison and you will radically change your mind. That may have been true in the
Nixon era, when you could have your own clothes and food.Q: Do you feel that
prison rehabilitates people? A: Prison is not
rehabilitative at all. It is for warehousing human beings. You have to play
safe and follow the rules. There is nothing to do, with the exception of
federal courses, such as English as a second language. The recidivism rate is
high. I "learned my lesson" in two weeks. People become bitter in
prison.Q: Many people would
hide and be ashamed of being in prison. How did you decide to turn lemons into
lemonade?A: In breaking with my past.
My inability, in the past, to show I was having a hard time. "Never let
them see you sweat". Committing white lies. I was never proud of prison,
but I was proud of the change. If I project shame, I will get that back.Q: Do you have any new
projects in the works?A: I just completed
supervised probation. I am involved with a movement to restore the vote to
ex-cons. This law is heavily weighted against African-Americans. I’m not saying
the law is cruel and unusual. It’s a philosophy -- it goes against liberty. At
what point do they stop paying the price? It’s so disparate from state to
state.Q: I’ve read where you
said that prison makes you confront your prejudices. How so?A: There was a a real
stratification. I got intellectually lazy. Prison was like Bed-Sty.Q: Tell about any
forbidden "luxuries" there were in prison. A: The language changes.
Cell was a "house". 250 pound men were knitting. Photos of the
outside. The Robb Report is very popular - a dream. Q: Which do you feel are
better: federal prisons run by the government or by contract?A: The government ones are
better; they have to be accountable. Contract prisons are not so. Prisoners are
a commodity, x per $ per year. It’s dehumanizing.

LEGALWhile "The Cyber Scene" TM and its agents use their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein, "The Cyber Scene" does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident or other causes. "They Cyber Scene" and its affiliated individuals may, from time to time, own, have positions or options in companies discussed herein and may also perform advisory services, and/or have other relationships with those companies.

TM/(C)You may freely distribute "The Cyber Scene" material, as long as it bears the following attribution: Source: 2015 The Cyber Scene TM http://www.TheCyberScene.com